Xsolla Sessions
Xsolla Sessions
Podcast Description
Xsolla Podcasts: State of Play & Xsolla ConversationsWhere the future of game commerce comes to lifeXsolla brings you two powerful podcast series designed to spark honest dialogue, uncover untold stories, and guide the evolving business of games.State of Play is our flagship narrative podcast, hosted by Chris Hewish with Lia Ballentine and Joe Pierpont. This richly produced series combines deep-dive interviews, documentary storytelling, and immersive sound design to explore the biggest shifts in the global games industry. From platform battles and regulatory shakeups to breakthrough monetization trends, State of Play is where game business leaders turn for context, clarity, and connection.Xsolla Conversations delivers a fast, focused format with real-time insights from the front lines. These short-form episodes (under 20 minutes) feature candid chats with developers, partners, and internal experts, highlighting what’s working now in game development, community building, and direct-to-consumer strategy.Together, these shows surface the voices shaping the next era of interactive entertainment. Whether you're launching your first title or leading a global studio, tune in weekly to hear from the people defining what’s next in gaming.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcasts delve into various topics within the gaming industry, particularly focusing on monetization strategies, developer experiences, and direct-to-consumer approaches. For example, episodes discuss the evolution of mobile game web shops, the impact of direct-to-player models, and how studios are reclaiming margins and player data amidst platform challenges. These discussions provide rich insights on navigating regulatory environments and commercial trends.

The Business of Games: A podcast for developers, publishers, and executives navigating the ever-changing game industry.
From monetization models to player behavior, from platform shifts to emerging markets, The Business of Games is your guide to all the things transforming how games are built, marketed, and scaled.
Hosted by Chris Hewish and Lia Ballentine, each episode blends strategic insight, cinematic storytelling, and candid conversations with the people driving the business of play. You’ll hear from top executives inside studios and strategic partners across the ecosystem who are uncovering the ideas, tactics, and trends shaping tomorrow’s opportunities.
Whether you’re launching your first game or scaling a global studio, you’ll find practical strategies, future-forward thinking, and real-world examples you can act on right away.
The Business of Games is brought to you by Xsolla, your strategic partner behind the scenes. We bring together “All the Things” to help you simplify operations, unlock new revenue, reach more players, and launch fast.
Visit xsolla.com to learn more, connect with our team, and access all the things you need to level up your business of play. Want to join the conversation? Follow and comment on our LinkedIn page at The Business of Games Podcast, where we’ll be sharing updates, highlights, and continuing the discussion. And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, review, and share the podcast with friends and colleagues who want to learn more about the business of games.
The business of games is evolving, and in Season 2, we’ll explore what’s driving the industry forward.
We’ll dive into the shifts reshaping how games are built, launched, and scaled as the industry moves through 2026 and beyond. From AI and direct-to-consumer strategies to the human decisions behind development, this season cuts through the noise to focus on what matters.
Featuring insights from developers, technologists, and industry leaders across the ecosystem, Season 2 offers a clear view of what’s emerging, what’s accelerating, and what’s worth your attention.
New episodes of The Business of Games Podcast coming soon.
For more insights and resources, visit xsolla.com/podcast. Want to join the conversation? Follow and comment on our LinkedIn page at The Business of Games Podcast. That’s where we’ll be sharing updates, highlights, and continuing the discussion. And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, review, and share the podcast with friends who want to learn more about the business of games.

Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.